The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-17
MEGILP'S PICTURE.


Mr.. Michael Angelo Megilp was a
Young artist of some performance and
of considerable promise. But, IKE
many other men IN that position, he
was often heavily handicapped by want
of ready money, for, though his pics-
ures were tolerably we'll spoken of by
the critics and Landed to the skies by
his friends, the picture dealers gave
him only a moderate price for them.
Still, in spite of this drawback,
Megilp, being of a cheerful, happy-go.
lucky disposition, kept up his COURAGE
worked early and late in his studio,
and believed firmly that some DAY a
favorable turn in his affairs would
come. He had married early a young
lady possessed of more beauty than for
tune: in fact, Mrs. Megilps marriage
portion of 9600 only just paid for the
furnishing Of the house and studio at
where the young people
began housekeeping.
But with the best intentions, the
Young wife was not a very skiilful
so gradually the Megilps
xlided into debt, and in due course the
tradespeople became FESTIVE and re-
fused further supplies until their little
bills were paid. When Michael Angelo
and his wife came to add up their la
bllities, they found that they amounted
TO nearly goo, a sum total which
seemed terrific to poor Mrs. Megilp.
"Where On earth a we get 9200,
Angy2" she cried, clasplng her hands
sragicaIly. IAN your pictures, even II
you could see them, wouldn't fetca
There's the furniture, you know,
Madge." hazarded Magilp. ut was
with your money. What do
you say to-
ION, don't-don't sell It'll l couldn't
bear to part with all my pretty things"
she interrupted; with a loving glance
round her drawing-roem, which was
quite a picture of modest elegance.
ST shouldn't think of asking you to
make such a sacrifice, my dear, !" replied
Michael Angelo. soothlngly; "sut we
could raise e200 on 1t easily.o
"You're Quite--quite sure the furni-
ture would be safep"
Perfectly sure; and l think / know
the man who will do the business
bill OF sale, you know--not half a bad
way Of raising money!
Accordingly Megilp went next MORN
ing down to Wardour street, and in a
dirty little bric.a-brac shop he I'M
sarthed the worthy Israelite who was
TO oblige him with the loan.
"You want e200 on a bill of sale IN
your furniturefn said Mr.. Zerubbabel,
when the artist had explained his err
rand. 81 must come down to your
house and soc what you have got be-
fore l can give you an answer"
'Surely you can take my word that
there is more than ample security for
the amount l want. Besiues presents,
we ourselves spent over $500 only two
years ago." replied Michael Angelo,
Mr.. Zerubbabei laid his fiat forefn-
ger along his great hooked nose and
winked, adding:
II dare say. Still, I'd rather have a
look at it before we do business. Ii
you give me your address, I'll call on
you tomorrow"
Michael Angelo swallowed his vexa-
tion as best he could, gave his address,
and left the bric-a-brac shop.
Mr.. Zerubbabel duly paid his visit of
and In the course OF a few
lays the negotiation was fat accompts.
The Megllphs paid their bills, the
tradespeople smiled once more on Mrs.
Megilp, and matters went on quite
smoothly for several months. The
Interest on the e200 was promptly paid
and early in the year Michael Angelo
finished his picture he intended to send
In to Burlington house.
Every one who entered the studio
prophesied great things of this picture,
and every n Igreed that "Chloe
Counting her Chickens" was, so, far,
MegIlp's chef d'euurs. The artist him-
self founded all his hopes of fame on
this charming work.
''I don't take a penny less than $500
for It," he. said to his wife after the
visit of a distinguished art critic to his
"Carper says it will take the
town by storm--and so 1t will"
az wish you could sell it soon,n
sighed Mrs. Megilp. Il often feel
uncomfortable about that dreadful bill
Of sale. It's like what's-his-name's
sword hanging over our heads"
"Oh, the furniture Is safe enough
Michael Angelo, lightly. "But
tell yoc what it is, Madge. it handi-
caps ne frightfully to have a bill of
sale registered against me.
why don't you go and see Zerub-
babel and try to come to terms with
suggested Mrs. Migilp. ''Of
course he has heard of "Chloe"-every
one has--and if you promise to pay
him when you have sold your picture.
he can't refuse to give you back
that terrible document"
Though hardly taking this optimistic
view of matters, Megilp acted on his
advice, and forthwith paid a
visit to Mr.. Zerubbabel's shop.
When he had preferred his request,
the bric-a-brac seller smiled and shook
his head.
'sMicah Zerubbabel wasn't born yes
terday," he said, with a cunning look
his twinkling black eyes. "Your
mayn't be worth a five pound
"It's worth at least $780," broke In
Lhe artist, ~reddening. "Carper says
so.n
"wbo's CarperY But even If the
were worth $780," grlnned
NJ stft uouldn1f pav ma